Month: February 2006

Michael Wolfe helps us escape the city

gmaproute

[Portland to Longview, sans car]

Michael Wolfe has a seriously high bike IQ (or would that be bi-Q?). I met him at the PUMP swap meet and have kept in touch ever since. He recently introduced himself to the Shift email list and has already started sharing some of his vast biking knowledge. One of his interests is figuring out car-free ways of escaping the city.

Here are three routes he’s got so far, complete with Google map assistance from the always handy Gmap Pedometer. File them away for summer, or tackle them next weekend:

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Stolen: very small LeMond – Recovered!

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

[Update: This bike has been recovered!]

[Posted by “Megaroni1983”]

Someone stole my bike today. It’s a size 47 lemond big sky. It’s black and white and BEAUTIFUL. I loved it, and havent even had it a year.

http://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/big_sky_s.shtml

that is it. It has a flashing red light attached to the back end. It had a light on the front. It detaches, though the base is still on the bar. Silly. I took that off so nobody would steal my light, they just decided to take the whole dang bike.

I WANT IT BACK. I wish that were easy.

if by some chance you see a big burly man riding my little bike, knock him off and use some kung fu. then email me at meghanmeghanbobeggan@gmail.com
Thanks.
heh

Cycle Oregon unveils route at kickoff party

Cycle Oregon party

[Art meets sport]

It was fitting that the Cycle Oregon crew unveiled the 2006 route at a classy place like the Portland Art Museum. I’ve never seen such a big hoopla just to announce a ride. It was really impressive.

From the covered and guarded bike parking to the 20 or so smiling, official-T-shirt-clad volunteers who greeted me before I even hit the lobby. If this is how they run their ride, sign me up. Once inside, I saw white linen cloaked tables, bottles of wine, and hundreds of smiling, beautiful baby boomers wearing everything from sport coats to spandex…and this was just the pre-party!

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Shift hosts bike love-fest

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The bike fun rampage continues…

Shift to Bikes presents Valentine’s Day Mocktails on the Hawthorne Bridge

When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 4:30 to 6:30pm

Where: On the south side of the Hawthorne Bridge, on the east end (under the I-5 overpass, where the path spirals down to the Esplanade).

Details: Volunteers will be out demonstrating our love for Portland’s bicyclists by serving juice, soda, tea, heart-shaped cookies, and other snacks to riders commuting home — or on their way to a date. The event will also include bike heart art for sale, flowers and candles, bike maintenance, and random acts of bike love.

Contact: Elly Blue, 503 810 9443 (cell)

That “random acts of bike love” part sounds interesting…

A special delivery

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Sharky and Velo downtown
Sharky and Velo downtown
Sharky and Velo downtown

[Sharky and Velo]

I snapped these photos downtown a few days ago. I noticed this guy riding around with a kid in his messenger bag and had to stop for a closer look.

Turns out he goes by “Sharky” and his boy’s name is “Velo”. I heard from some other messengers that Sharky is “an animal on the bike” and “sort of a messenger legend”.


Checking in with the Community Cycling Center

A trip to the Community Cycling Center

[Tom Knipe]

Last week I sat down with Tom Knipe, interim director of the Community Cycling Center (CCC). For the uninitiated, the CCC is known for their great programs, parts recycling, used bike shop, and their Holiday Bike Drive which donates bikes to kids.

When I got there, programs manager Gabe Graff gave me the full tour. I’d never seen the CCC’s basement and it was quite a sight to behold. Bikes and parts were stacked everywhere…and impressively clean and orderly too. They really need more storage space so get in touch with them if you’ve got some laying around.

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Bike Summit fund drive a success!

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I’m happy to announce that I’ve now raised almost $1000 for my trip to the National Bike Summit in Washington DC. I’m all registered, I’ve bought my plane tickets, and even snagged a hotel room right across the street from the Summit.

Huge thanks to everyone who donated. I’ve been amazed at your generosity and kind notes. I am honored to represent the Portland bike community and I’m excited to bring my unique perspectives on advocacy, activism and community building to this event.

Special thanks to one loyal reader (who will remain nameless) who paid my entire $350 registration fee (!).

I’m grateful to all of you, even if you weren’t able to donate. Just by reading and contributing comments you play in important role in making this site a success.

Stay tuned for reports, photos and scuttlebut from DC!

Top pro to speak at triathlon club meeting

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ficker
[Photo by Team Magic]

The fledgling Portland Triathlon Club is hosting professional triathlete Desiree Ficker at their montly meeting tonight. Desiree is a former Pro Duathlete of the Year from 2002-2004 and the USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year in 2001.

According to the club, Ficker has been in town for a training clinic and her talk will take place at 7:00PM tonight at the YMCA in downtown Portland (map here). Tickets are available for $5 to club members and $15 for non-members (here’s the official event flyer PDF).

The Portland Triathlon Club (PTC) was founded in September ’05 and has quickly grown to over 100 members. If you’re into tri, or just tri-curious, learn more about PTC on their website.

Big turnout for Slug Velo’s birthday ride

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Slug Velo ride - February

Cold temperatures didn’t stop over 30 riders from helping Beth Hamon celebrate the third birthday of Slug Velo today. Beth founded Slug Velo as a slow and social riding club and her rides always draw a refreshing mix of bike lovers young and old.

I brought Eleni along, but since today was my birthday Robert offered to pull her in the trailer alongside his son Christopher (thanks Robert!). They both had a great time and were rewarded with treats and strawberry milk at our destination in St. Johns.

See the rest of my photos from this ride.

Sprockettes and Zoobombers rock Roller Derby

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Sprockettes at Rollery Derby

Dingo at rollery derby night
[Dingo on his mini tall-bike]

The Sprockettes and the Zoobombers left their mark on Saturday night’s roller derby season opener at the Expo Center. Their half-time extravaganza including some gnarly derby action with plenty of thrills and spills by an amped up Zoobomb crew.

Then, the Sprockettes did their thing and and were met with a thunderous ovation from the sold-out crowd and I had the best seat in the house for all the action! Here are my photos from the Sprockettes performance.

Specialized responds to Mountain Cycle

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[In case you haven’t been following the Specialized and Mountain Cycle saga, read this post first.]

Yesterday I sent an email to Specialized’s legal person, Kim Arca. I wanted to give them the chance to make a statement because I felt like by saying nothing they were only making things worse for themselves. Here is the text of my email:

Hi Kim,

Jonathan Maus here. I just want to let you know that I have nothing against Specialized and that I would like to offer you space on my site to come in and make a statement about this situation. I’m willing to publish a statement from you, unedited, and without any commentary from me.

I think an honest statement would really help Specialized at this point. Hope to hear from you soon.

And in return I just got the email below from Kevin Franks, head of media relations and corporate communications for Specialized:

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